Most Political Parties Vow to Restore 2030 Ban on New Fossil Fuel Cars

New cars are parked at a dockyard in Grimsby, northern England, on Jan 30, 2009. Nigel Roddis/Reuters

With all election manifestos now published, a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 will almost certainly be on the next government’s legislative agenda, if it is to follow through on its electoral promises.

Last year, the Conservative government said that the decarbonisation of cars and vans “is a priority for achieving net zero” and announced the deadline for the last sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles would be delayed by five years to 2035. It is still pledging this in its manifesto.

However, ahead of the July 4 election, opposition parties—apart from Reform—have vowed to bring that nearer.

The regulation that the Tories brought in mandated that 22 percent of each manufacturer’s new vehicle registrations must be zero-emission. Manufacturers that fail to meet mandated thresholds will be fined £15,000 per ICE car sold above the limits.

Restoring the Phase-Out Date

In its manifesto, Labour, which is the favourite to win the election, said that it “will support the transition to electric vehicles by accelerating the rollout of charge points, giving certainty to manufacturers by restoring the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines, and supporting buyers of second-hand electric cars by standardising the information supplied on the condition of batteries.”

The Liberal Democrats said that they will restore “the requirement that every new car and small van sold from 2030 is zero-emission.”

The Greens went further and said that if elected, they would push for an end to the sales of new petrol and diesel-fuelled vehicles by 2027 and the use of all petrol and diesel vehicles on the road by 2035.

On Monday in its manifesto “contract,” Reform said that “scrapping Net Zero means no more bans on petrol and diesel cars and no legal requirements for manufacturers to sell electric cars.”

UKIP has opposed ICE bans.

The SDP said that it accepts “the broad scientific consensus that fossil fuels are contributing to climate change however, we do not support unrealistic objectives such as ‘net zero.’”

‘Consumers Need Carrots, Not Sticks’

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which supports and promotes the interests of the UK automotive industry, said that “consumers need carrots, not sticks.”

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, told The Epoch Times by email, “Manufacturers are committed to a zero-carbon new vehicle market and are investing billions, with more than 125 car and van models across all segments and price points already available, and many more on the way.”

He said that thanks to this “growing choice, the EV market has grown rapidly but concerns over affordability and charging accessibility remain significant barriers.”

“Consumers need carrots, not sticks and, whatever the trajectory set by any government, a fair and fast transition will depend on the provision of compelling enablers for all drivers and operators as well as mandated targets for a nationwide charging infrastructure for all road transport,” he added.

Attack

However the push to ban ICE vehicles has been called an “obsession” by campaigners.

The Together Declaration, co-founded by Alan Miller, was formed in 2021 in response to COVID-19 measures with the mission to “push back against the rapidly growing infringements on our rights and freedoms.”

Mr. Miller told The Epoch Times that ICE vehicle bans are an “attack” on freedoms.

“It’s an attack on us all, on car drivers, on citizens based on the idea that what you do is you impose, pass new laws and rules rather than have innovation that transforms transport,” he said.

“It goes alongside the obsession with road closures, bollards, cameras, surveillance, fines, and limiting citizens’ ability for mobility. It’s an assault on business and families, the disabled, women late at night,” he added.

Greens Want Transition to EVs Sooner

Green Party Co-leader Adrian Ramsay told The Epoch Times by email that “those who can afford it are increasingly switching to electric cars. But they’re not yet accessible to all.”

“The market needs to transition, and the motor industry needs the confidence to invest to bring both EVs and the charging infrastructure to market, at scale, and for it to be affordable,” he said.

Mr. Ramsey said that Green Party policy “sets out an ambitious timeframe in which they could do that.”

“But even then, this will allow after 2027 for many second-hand petrol and diesel cars for sale for those want them. Greens would like to see the transition to EVs happen sooner rather than later both to reduce emissions and also toxic levels of urban air pollution,” he added.

The Epoch Times contacted Labour, the Conservatives, and the Lib Dems for comment.